info Announcement 1 of 6:

The following Park Experiences are temporarily suspended due to safe distancing measures:
Elephant Presentation  |  Keepers' Chit Chat 

info Announcement 2 of 6:

The Wet Play Area at KidzWorld is temporarily closed due to safe distancing measures. Pony rides, Falabella grooming and Rabbit petting at Buddy Barn at KidzWorld are temporarily suspended due to safe distancing measures.

info Announcement 3 of 6:

Our shows are operating at limited capacity as part of the necessary Safe Management Measures. We seek your understanding that once full, we will be unable to accept more guests.

info Announcement 4 of 6:

The following exhibit will be closed due to upgrading works:
Frozen Tundra (Until further notice) | White Tiger (10 Mar 21 from 1pm onwards)

info Announcement 5 of 6:

There will be a Bi-Annual Emergency Drill on 8 - 9 Mar 21. The following park experiences will operate from 10.30am onwards:
Rainforest Kidzworld  |  Wild Animal Carousel  |  Tram Services

info Announcement 6 of 6:

You can now book seats for animal shows! Booking portal opens 90 minutes before show time, and can only be accessed onsite. Find out more

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Wildlife Reserves Singapore Group
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  • Panther chameleon

Panther chameleon

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Quick facts

Lifespan

Lifespan

5-7 years

Diet

Diet

Worms

Also insects like crickets

Habitat

Habitat

Lowland scrub and forest

Range

Range

Endemic to Madagascar

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The panther chameleons

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Those eyes

Panther chameleons are considered opportunistic hunters because they wait for prey to pass within range of their long tongues. Chameleons do not have ears but to make up for this, they have eyes that can rotate and focus separately to observe two different objects at the same time. This gives them a full 360-degree field of vision while staying completely still and camouflaged. In this way, chameleons can look out for predators as well as prey simultaneously. When prey comes within sight, they will train both eyes in the same direction – this gives them sharp stereoscopic vision and depth of perception, in preparation for the final strike.
Within firing range

Within firing range

Active during the day, it moves slowly through the branches to hunt its insect food by stealth. When it spots its next meal, the chameleon focuses on its victim with both eyes, then shoots out its long tongue to grasp the insect and pull it back into its large mouth. The tongue is very long and is fired from the mouth at great speed. This means that the chameleon can seize unsuspecting prey from some distance away. The muscular tongue and its mucus envelop the prey, pulling it to the mouth.
Splayed feet

Splayed feet

This arboreal species has feet that are so well adapted for grasping branches that it is difficult for it to walk across a flat surface. Its toes are clawed and arranged into groups of two and three on opposite sides of the foot. It rarely, if ever, needs to come to the ground and when it does, it walks with feet splayed. Life up in the trees is also made easier by the animal’s prehensile tail, which acts as a fifth limb, wrapping around branches to help with climbing.
Colours switched by crystals

Colours switched by crystals

When a chameleon comes face-to-face with a rival, it rapidly inflates its body and changes colour in a show of dominance that is usually enough to decide a dispute. The colourful display may also be a way to impress potential mates. Just below a chameleon’s skin is a layer of yellow pigments and very tiny crystals (nanocrystals). Chameleons are able to expand or contract the crystals, which interact with the yellow pigments to produce striking changes in skin colours.

Special experiences

Chameleon Feeding Demonstration

Chameleon Feeding Demonstration

RepTopia

Chameleons have a specialised tongue adapted to capturing their fast-flying prey. Special elastic tissue in their tongue may be the secret to their success. The tongue is kept folded up like an accordion when not in use. A chameleon that is ready to strike contracts the muscles in its tongue as a person may pull back on the string of a bow. This elastic recoil launches the tongue forward forcefully to snare prey. When fully extended, a chameleon's tongue can be twice its body length.

The keepers hold interaction sessions every day at 11am and 2.30pm.

These feature any combination of feeding, conditioning or animal contact sessions. The chameleon feeding demo is one of such sessions.

The keepers decide each day which animals will be featured. Do check out the on-site schedule on the day of your visit!

Baby Boom

Baby Boom

RepTopia hatchery

Come visit our little panther chameleon hatchlings here! To date, we’ve welcomed more than forty newborns, each no larger than the head of a pen. Caring for such small animals poses big challenges for RepTopia’s keepers. As the hatchlings are extremely sensitive to temperature and environmental changes, keepers take extra care in monitoring, feeding and misting them. This is to ensure they each get enough nutrients, hydration and heat to grow and thrive.

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123

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The IUCN Status

EN

Endangered

At very high risk of extinction in the wild

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species is widely recognized as the most comprehensive, objective global approach for evaluating the conservation status of plant and animal species.

DD

Data Deficient

Unknown risk of extinction

LC

Least Concern

At relatively low risk of extinction

NT

Near Threatened

Likely to become vulnerable in the near future

VU

Vulnerable

At high risk of extinction in the wild

EN

Endangered

At very high risk of extinction in the wild

CR

Critically Endangered

At extremely high risk of extinction in the wild

EW

Extinct in the Wild

Survives only in captivity

EX

Extinct

No surviving individuals in the wild or in captivity

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